After almost 1000 days, mask mandate is lifted

After 945 days, Hong Kong has lifted laws mandating the wearing of masks in public.

Compulsory mask wearing was introduced in 2020 when the Covid pandemic began to hit, with HK$5,000 (almost $AU950) fines imposed for non-compliance.

“With the removal of the mandate, Hong Kong will return to normalcy,” the city state's chief executive John Lee-Ka chiu said.

Until the law was scrapped, everyone was required to wear masks in public areas, Travel Mole reported.

Following mainland China protocols, the Hong Kong mask mandate and other Covid rules were among the most stringent in the world.

The rule change comes as the badly-hit tourism industry bounces back.

The virus is under control in Hong Kong with no major signs of a rebound, Lee said.

Local media outlets, however, reported that many Hong Kong residents are continuing to wear masks in public places.   

Canada lifts all Covid restrictions

Canada has confirmed it is removing all remaining Covid-19 entry restrictions from this weekend.

Canada is scrapping all testing and quarantine, officials announced.

So mandatory use of the ArriveCAN app will no longer be necessary, said Minister of Health Jean-Yves Duclos.

And masks on planes and trains will no longer be mandatory, said Omar Alghabra, the Minister of Transport.

But Alghabra had a bob each way, saying officials still strongly encourage travellers to wear them.

Both ministers praised the vaccination rate as a main reason the restrictions could be rolled back.

Airlines will no longer need to review the vaccination status of foreign nationals.

So as you were.

But just a reminder not to pack any prescription medicine in your baggage.

If Air Canada - which suffered mightily during Covid - loses your bag you'll find Australian prescriptions are not accepted in Canada, and it is as hard get a doctor's appointment there as it is in Australia.

An expensive online consultation may be your only option.

Image: Toronto, Destination Canada